Azizulhasni Awang awaiting surgery to remove 20cm splinter in calf following spectacular crash at World Cup

Azizulhasni Awang, who crashed spectacularly as Sir Chris Hoy won the men's
Keirin final at the Track World Cup last night, still has a splinter of the
Manchester Velodrome track in his calf this morning, a Malaysia team
official has confirmed.

Ouch: Juan Aziz Awang was taken to hospital with a splinter through his calf following the crashPhoto: PA

As Hoy surged to a sensational win in the physical event which begins behind a motor-paced Derny, carnage unfolded behind him on the final bend with four of the six riders wiped out.

Awang's calf was skewered by a shard of Siberian pine from the track, but remarkably he recovered to remount his bike and place third, with Jason Niblett ahead of him in second after avoiding the crash.

Awang, though, soon stopped after the finish line, collapsing in agony with his calf pierced by the wood before he was taken away on a stretcher.

Today the 23-year-old, who has won World Championship medals in the last two seasons, was awaiting removal of the splinter at Manchester's Royal Infirmary.

A scan last night assessed the injury, but medics were weighing up the best way to remove the splinter, which was around 20cm long.

A Malaysia team official said: "He has no broken bones, it's just the splinter.

"They will have to pull it out after the specialist confirms the best way to do it."

Awang had attempted to squeeze through a gap and appeared culpable for the crash, which also saw Kamil Kuczynski of Poland, Edward Dawkins of New Zealand and Spain's Juan Peralta Gascon wiped out and a foot race to the line in an attempt to gain valuable Olympic qualification points.

Awang was unable to receive his bronze medal on the podium, with Kuczynski fourth, Dawkins fifth and Peralta Gascon last after forgetting to carry his bike to the line.

Awang is anticipated to be fit for the World Championships in Apeldoorn, Holland which begin on March 23.

The Malaysia official added: "The doctor says he will recover in one week after the operation."

Awang was not due to ride in today's team sprint, with the Malaysia team comprising of Muhamad Edrus Md Yunos, Josiah Ng Onn Lam and Hafiz Sufain set to ride in qualification this morning.